McCloud Dam Spillway Replacement Project: Update on Technical Evaluation

Strategic Insights -

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company has submitted an update to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project, specifically the spillway replacement project at McCloud Dam. The update includes the Board of Consultants Report No. 1, prepared by an independent board of consultants, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company's responses to the report's comments and recommendations. The report and responses are the result of the board's meeting with PG&E staff and consultants on April 22-24, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Board of Consultants Report No. 1, dated May 8, 2025, was presented at the meeting, and PG&E provided a list of questions for the BOC, which the BOC responded to with comments and recommendations.
  • PG&E's responses to the BOC's comments and recommendations are presented in a memorandum dated May 22, 2025, which is enclosed with the letter.
  • The spillway replacement project is part of the McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2106, and is subject to technical evaluation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD).
  • The independent project Board of Consultants, FERC, and DSOD attended the meeting, and PG&E staff and consultants presented background information on the project and the results of engineering evaluations and analyses completed to date.
  • Gavin Leiper, dam safety engineer for PG&E, is the contact for technical questions, and Holly Taylor, license coordinator for PG&E, is the contact for general questions.

Statistics:

  • The spillway replacement project is part of the McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2106.
  • The project involves the replacement of the McCloud Dam spillway.
  • The independent project board of consultants consisted of multiple members.
  • The California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are involved in the technical evaluation of the project.
  • The meeting took place at Gannett Fleming's offices in Roseville, California, from April 22-24, 2025.

Sources:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, "Letter to Frank L. Blackett, P.E., Regional Engineer, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission" (May 22, 2025)
  • Board of Consultants Report No. 1, McCloud Spillway Replacement Project (May 8, 2025)
  • PG&E's Responses to Comments and Recommendations from the Independent Board of Consultants from Report No. 1, Dated May 8, 2025 (May 22, 2025)